Protesters on Tuesday stormed the national secretariat of the All Progressives Congress (APC), in Abuja, demanding the cancellation of the Kogi Central senatorial primary and the conduct of a fresh election.
The protest followed the emergence of former Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello, as winner of the APC primary for the Logo Central Senatorial district. Bello reportedly secured victory across the five local government areas in the district.
Speaking during the protest, coordinator of the Kogi Central Movement, Usman Adabara, described the exercise as flawed and lacking credibility.
He alleged that Bello failed to appear before the party’s screening committee because of his ongoing case with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
Adabara said the protesters were at the APC secretariat to oppose Bello’s senatorial ambition and urge the party leadership not to hand him the ticket for Kogi Central.
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According to him, the protest was about accountability, integrity and respect for democratic principles.
He argued that someone facing serious allegations and public distrust should not be rewarded with another opportunity to represent the people at the National Assembly.
Adabara also said Bello’s decision to avoid the screening process had increased suspicion among party members and residents of the state.
He stressed that screening remains a vital part of internal party democracy and warned that bypassing the process damages public confidence and creates the impression that some politicians are above party rules.
Another speaker at the protest, youth leader Suleiman Otaru, called on the APC leadership to reverse the outcome of the primary in order to protect the credibility of the party in Kogi State.
Otaru said Kogi Central deserved leaders who would defend the interests of the people, protect public resources and inspire confidence among young people.
He warned that the APC must not reward controversy and what he described as failed leadership with another public office, insisting that the future of the state was too important for such a mistake to be repeated.
Rafiyat Sadiq is a political, justice, and human rights reporter with Pinnacle Daily, known for fearless reporting and impactful storytelling. At Pinnacle Daily, she brings clarity and depth to issues shaping governance, democracy, and the protection of citizens’ rights.